Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], February 14 (HBTV): Seventy-year-old Raibari Bindhani has been living in a makeshift shelter made of polythene sheets for the past 10–12 years in a village area of Mayurbhanj district, near a forest stretch close to the Similipal region.
Bindhani walks daily to the panchayat office to collect an INR 1,000 allowance and 5 kg of rice. She earlier lived in a concrete house, but it was sold after her parents’ death, leaving her without shelter. She claimed that she did not receive any help from the village sarpanch.
Taking note of the situation, Additional District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj Netrananda Mallick said officials would verify her condition. If found eligible, she would be allotted a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. After verification by the Block Development Officer (BDO), around four decimals (approximately 0.04 acres) of land will be allotted to her, and a house will be constructed.
Speaking to ANI, Bindhani said that about a decade ago she lived in a concrete house, which was later sold after her parents died while she had gone out to work. On returning, she found herself homeless.
She earlier survived by cutting trees and selling firewood to buy food. Now, she depends on the allowance and rice she receives, consuming very little each day. She said she frequently encounters snakes, bears and elephants near her shelter.
She said, ‘Approximately 10 years ago, I was where they have made a poultry farm now. The concrete house at the end of the road was our house earlier. We came here and stayed. When our parents died, we had gone to work, and when we came back, our house was sold off. Now, where will we get the house? Where will I go? I receive INR 1000 allowance. Earlier, I used to chop down trees and sell the logs of wood to buy food. I have started getting the allowance now.’
She added, ‘I get 5 kg of rice, which lasts for some time as I eat only three handfuls of cooked rice every day. I eat only when I get an allowance and can buy rice with it. I had asked for a house. At that time, the government and sarpanch did not help. I do not have a house. I am staying by the roadside. I see snakes and bears. Even elephants come. They eat paddy from the nearby field and go away.’
Additional District Magistrate Netrananda Mallick said the government provides rural housing to people living in extremely poor conditions under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He said the concerned BDO would verify Bindhani’s living conditions and, if found eligible, arrange for land and allot her a house either under the central scheme or the state housing programme.
Mallick told ANI, ‘The government is providing rural housing to people whose living conditions are very weak. I am aware that Raibari Bindhani is staying in a thatched house. There is a provision to provide rural housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The house will be constructed within a timeline, and there is a bonus facility available. The concerned BDO has the authority to verify her condition and allot a house if she is on the list. I will instruct the BDO and concerned officials to provide four decimals of land as she is homeless, and after allotment of land, the BDO will provide a house under PM Yojana or under the state scheme.’
(ANI)